An investigation of the effect of running-in with micron-sized diamonds on the lubrication performance of 5CB liquid crystal

• Published in: Tribology international Vol. 192; p. 109290
• Main Authors: Sun, Qilin, Chen, Hui, Luo, Ting, Xiao, Guangchun, Chen, Zhaoqiang, Yi, Mingdong, Xu, Chonghai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2024
• Subjects: Liquid crystal; Lubrication performance; Running-in; Surface parameters; Surface parameters; Liquid crystal; Lubrication performance; Running-in
• ISSN: 0301-679X; 1879-2464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.triboint.2024.109290

The aim of this work was to examine the impact of running-in with micron-sized diamonds on the lubrication performance of 4-Cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) liquid crystal (LC). It was observed that an appropriate running-in pretreatment resulted in a remarkable 37.9% decrease in the coefficient of friction (COF) compared to friction tests without running-in. This improvement in lubrication performance is believed to be attributed to the formation of a textured surface during the running-in process. Additionally, the study found a significant correlation between COF and various surface parameters, namely Sa, Ssk, Sku, Svk, and Spk. The wear surface exhibits characteristics such as high Sku, negative Ssk, Svk/Spk ratios, and smaller Str under the optimal running-in conditions. •An appropriate running-in with process diamonds reduces COF of 5CB LC notably.•The reduction of COF is attributed to the pretreatment of surface morphology.•The correlation between surface parameters and COF has been investigated.•The relationship between surface parameters and characteristics has been analyzed.